Friday, May 8, 2009

Honoring a Wonderful Mother


Mom on Mother's Day 2008

There really are no words to honor my mother.  But I couldn't let this day pass me by.  I have been dreading Mother's Day but it is coming and there is nothing I can do but thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with a wonderful mother.

For the last year I have tried to describe my mother.  I think I feel I need to explain why losing her is such a big deal.  No one really understands unless they knew her.  To those of you who didn't know her let me tell you about her.

Excerpt from her journal:

Saturday, March 1, 1986

Earl and I went to Pagodas and then to study group at Paul and Vera’s.  We talked about kids and drugs.  I don’t worry about my kids trying drugs.  We talk a lot.  I like that.  I trust the kids.

She trusted us.  That is why I never wanted to do anything that would disappoint her.

Questions we asked Mom on June 30, 2008

What are your most deeply and embedded values?

The Gospel

What is your personal secret of happiness?

Worry about others before yourself.

What is your favorite scripture?

3 John 1:4  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth”

 

What is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you and the worst?

Each of my kids were the most wonderful – you know that.

Cancer is the worst.

One word on how to live successfully.

Unselfish

What would you like to be remembered for?

That I loved my kids, I was generous, and my family

 

What is your greatest joy and your greatest sorrow?

Joy? My family.

Sorrow? Dying too early and leaving them.  Not seeing Adam get married, Josh be a dad...(tears)


Why she was a good mother:

-she never got mad
-she gave us jobs everyday after school (I hated it then, I appreciate it now:)
-she made me feel like I was her favorite
-she never sweated the small stuff
-she trusted me
-she accepted me how I was.  she never tried to mold me or change me
-she made me feel like what I had to say was important, always validating my feelings
-she "fixed" everything
-she was funny; every time we remember her, we end up laughing
-she was smart
-she was generous
-she was kind
-she loved my dad
-she loved her children
-she loved me

What is your child rearing philosophy?

Be their Best friend.

You were the best mom. You were my best friend.

 

I love you Mom--Happy Mother's Day!!!

14 comments:

Brooke said...

Loved it. Thanks for sharing. I hope you are able to find some good in a day tomorrow. I know your mom will be close and loving you.

Debbie said...

That is Kathy to a T; very generous, very fun, loved, loved loved her amazing children. Someday the tears will stop.

Dawn said...

What a great tribute.

We will all be thinking of each other and especially Mom this Mother's day.

She truly was THE BEST!!
I miss her.

Caren said...

Amanda, that was wonderful!! It was nice to get to know a piece of you a little better. I lost my Mom to cancer in June 2007. I had already lost a daughter and so I thought I could handle it, but I have been surprised by the intensity of the loss on many occasions...it is hard to explain even though we expect to lose our Moms first, that it is still one of the hardest things I have endured. I miss her everyday and I know you miss yours too. We are lucky to have had such great women as our examples. Happy Mother's Day!

Jenna said...

What a neat tribute to a wonderful mom. The things that you love about your mom are the qualities that make you such a great friend. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Know that I love ya and can't wait to see you.

Unknown said...

I always end up crying when you write about your mom. She sounds like such a great person and there is a lot to be learned by a mother that had such a great relationship w/ your family and left behind a great example to live by. I really enjoyed reading that. I hope you have a great mothers day!

amy said...

I've been thinking alot about you today I know this weekend will be hard, it still is for me. Go get a Cherry Coke and a chocolate donut and remember it's ok to cry and that you are loved! :)

Jen said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom Amanda. Remember the qualities you love about your mom are embedded deep inside you and you are raising your children with those wonderful qualities! I hope I get to see you when you come out to Utah next week!

The Brannon Family said...

Thinking of you and your family and your mom today!

Hang in there!!

amanda said...

bibi gramo haby muthrS da mommy

jenn said...

Now that you have me crying like a baby, that was a perfect tribute to the BEST mom anyone could ever have. I hope to be half as good of a mom as our mom was. I love your blogs, you have such a tender heart and a sweet spirit. You founhd just the right words to show what a very special lady she was. I love that Janey bug. Her comment is precious. To mom, I ditto Jane... "Bibi gramo haby muthrS da mommy" See you all soon...love you.

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

I have been thinking about you all today. What a nice tribute to your mom. She had such great faith, i love the part about how she just trusted you all.

ps. 3 days?! Fun Fun!

Kaylynn said...

I have been reading your blog for awhile now. Your mom and my mother in law are friends. My mother in law, Kathy Jibson, told me about your blog. I lost my mom to cancer 8 years ago. You have been on my mind these last few days because I still remember how hard that first mother's day was without my mom. Thank you for sharing with us what a wonderful mother you have. Happy Mother's Day.

Kelli @ writing the waves said...

Such a sweet post. I love all of the pictures too. :)